DIVISION OF AGRICULTURE RESEARCH & EXTENSION Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Arkansas System FSA3146 Livestock Health Series Pregnancy Diseases in Sheep and Goats Chelsey Kimbrough, PhD Introduction bacterial abortion in sheep and goats in Assistant Professor the United States. Sheep and goats are The sheep and goat industries exposed to the organism through contact face several disease challenges, but with aborted fetuses and/or placenta, Heidi Ward, PhD, DVM abortions are the most costly. An vaginal discharge or contaminated Assistant Professor and abortion rate of 5 percent within newborns. Males may also con-tract Veterinarian a flock or herd is common. If more Chlamydiosis and infect females. than a 5 percent abortion rate occurs, Abortions typically occur between 60 to producers should become concerned 90 days after infection. The only way to and begin investigating the cause to truly diagnose Chlamydiosis is through help prevent an abortion epidemic. a diagnostic laboratory. The disease Abortion is the loss of the fetus may be prevented by adding tetracy- during gestation. Usually, the loss cline in feed, which requires veterinary is detected during the final two supervision. A vaccine labeled for sheep months of gestation with evidence of is available. the expelled fetus. In contrast, early embryonic loss results in resorption of the fetus and can sometimes be Campylobacter (Vibriosis) detected when the female unexpect- Campylobacter, also known as edly returns to estrus or develops Vibriosis, is a disease caused by the bloody vaginal discharge. Either way, bacterium Campylobacter fetus or abortion is always a frustrating event Campylobacter jejuni and is a signif- to a livestock producer. icant cause of abortion. Vibriosis is Noninfectious causes of abortion, more commonly seen in sheep than such as nutritional deficiencies in goats. Sheep are exposed to the and environmental causes, may be bacte-ria when ingesting feed or water shared by sheep and goats. However, contaminated with infected fetal infectious causes of abortion can mem-branes and fluids. A bloody, be species-specific. This fact sheet pus-like discharge before or after explores the common causes of abortion is a common sign. Abortions abortion, how to prevent them and tend to occur in late gestation. The how to treat them. Several of the disease may be prevented by using infectious diseases can also infect tetracycline in the feed and having a humans (zoonotic disease); therefore, vaccination program in place to help personal protection is recommended prevent Vibriosis. for people handling aborted fetuses. Arkansas Is Brucellosis Chlamydiosis Brucellosis, caused by the bacte- Our Campus Chlamydiosis is caused by the rium Brucella ovis, is transmitted to bacterium Chlamydophila abortus, ewes from infected rams. Ewes that Visit our web site at: formerly Chlamydia psittaci, and is contract the disease may experience https://www.uaex.uada.edu one of the most common causes of delayed conception for one to two heat University of Arkansas, United States Department of Agriculture and County Governments Cooperating cycles, stillbirths, weak lambs and abortions in the last trimester of gestation. For this reason, breeding Q Fever soundness exams on breeding rams is important to Q fever is a highly contagious disease caused identify infected rams for subsequent removal from by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii. The disease the flock. Brucella spp. can also infect humans causing may cause late-term abortions, stillbirths and weak undulant fever. newborns in sheep and especially in goats. The bacteria can be found in milk, urine, feces, uterine fluids and placentas. Many species of ticks can Leptospirosis carry and transmit the disease as well as cattle, pigs, cats, dogs and wildlife in addition to sheep Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the and goats. When a female aborts and has Q fever, bacterium Leptospira interrogans. Animals come into retained placentas are not uncommon. Abortion may contact with the organism by ingesting water that occur at any stage of gestation. Tetracycline may be has been contaminated by infected urine. Abortion added to feed to help treat the disease, but veterinary usually occurs in the final trimester of pregnancy. super-vision is required. There is no vaccine for The female can show clinical signs of anorexia, the prevention of Q fever. C. burnetii can cause jaun-dice and anemia, which may mimic symptoms Q fever in humans. When diagnosed in animals, the of copper toxicosis. Controlling the rodent population Arkansas Health Department should be notified. is important, as they typically are carriers. Vaccines are available, but their use in sheep and goats is extra-label; therefore; you must consult a veterinarian for use of the vaccine. Pregnancy Toxemia (Ketosis) Pregnancy Toxemia, also known as ketosis, is a metabolic disorder caused by increasing demands Listeriosis on the bodies of females during late pregnancy and is typically seen in older females carrying multiple Listeriosis, also called Circling Disease, is caused offspring or under- or over-conditioned females. by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The bacte- Although the disorder does not cause abortion rium survives in temperate environments in the directly, often the fetus is purposely aborted to soil. Infected, aborting females acquire the infection save the female. It is important to note that ideally via the intestine by ingesting contaminated forage, conditioned animals on an acceptable ration can silage, feed or water from infected cattle, birds, dogs, develop the disorder as well. cats, rodents and wildlife species. Abortions are usually seen mid- to late-gestation, but females may In the last 30 days of gestation, the liver give birth to premature, weak or stillborn offspring. increases gluconeogenesis rapidly to allow glucose Signs of infection in the female often include disori- distribution to the developing fetus. This shift in entation and circling. Other signs include mastitis distribution causes a negative energy balance for and conjunctivitis (pink eye). Preventing environ- the female. Furthermore, mobilization of fat stores mental contamination by infected feces and ensuring increases, which may overwhelm the liver’s capacity high-quality forage and properly fermented silage are and result in ketone body development (ketosis) or best in preventing this disease. An antibiotic regimen hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver). Individual variances may be given if the disease is detected early. No of the female’s response to insulin or capacity for vaccine is currently available. L. monocytogenes mobilizing fat influence the severity of symptoms. can infect humans. Early in the process, the female may act lethargic, grind her teeth, have labored breathing and urinate frequently. She may also appear unsteady and may Toxoplasmosis walk in circles. As the female progresses into the Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by the latter phases of ketosis, she is unable to stand, protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. The definitive host for thus complicating feed and water intake. This the organism is cats, which can shed infective oocysts leads to recumbency and death. through their feces. Sheep and goats ingest the oocytes in contaminated feed or water. Resorption Ensuring pregnant females maintain an ideal or abortion may occur if infected early in gestation. body condition is the best way to prevent pregnancy Stillbirth or weak offspring result if infection occurs toxemia. If clinical signs are seen, contact your in late gestation. Once a female aborts, she becomes veter-inarian as intervention is critical for survival. immune. There is no effective treatment. Preven- If caught early, females can be treated by adminis- tion is best achieved by keeping cats away from feed tering oral or intravenous glucose and giving oral and water sources. There is no vaccine available to propylene glycol (a glucose precursor) until the prevent toxoplasmosis. female recovers or gives birth. Other electrolyte imbalances will also have to be addressed. Treatment programs. Veterinarians may also help producers after the female becomes recumbent is often not when a female aborts by collecting samples to send to rewarding. If the fetuses are alive and within three the diagnostic lab to better determine the cause. days of a calculated due date, then an emergency Additionally, providing a balanced, high-energy cesarean section may be considered after the female diet for pregnant animals will prevent pregnancy is stabilized. Another alternative is to chemically toxemia and help boost the immune system. If treat- induce parturition while providing medical support. ing a pregnant animal, drug labels should be read Regardless of the therapeutic plan, the animal should carefully prior to administration. Giving the animals be offered a proper nutritional plan. plenty of room and access to clean water and feed will reduce disease transmission. Keeping cats, dogs and wildlife away from feed and water sources is Summary also important. By planning ahead and following a Many of the infectious causes of abortion are few simple management strategies, sheep and goat zoonotic, meaning people can become infected. Caution abortions can be controlled. For more information on should be used around any animal suspected of having controlling abortion in your flock, consult with your an infectious disease. Contaminated fluids, urine and local veterinarian. feces are highly infectious for people